Rename file without overwriting existing files

[Cameron Simpson]

On 30Jan2017 13:49, Steve D'Aprano <steve+python at pearwood.info> wrote:
>This code contains a Time Of Check to Time Of Use bug:
>
>    if os.path.exists(destination)
>        raise ValueError('destination already exists')
>    os.rename(oldname, destination)
>
>
>In the microsecond between checking for the existence of the destination and
>actually doing the rename, it is possible that another process may create
>the destination, resulting in data loss.
>
>Apart from keeping my fingers crossed, how should I fix this TOCTOU bug?

For files this is a problem at the Python level. At the UNIX level you can play 
neat games with open(2) and the various O_* modes.

however, with directories things are more cut and dry. Do you have much freedom 
here? What's the wider context of the question?

Cheers,
Cameron Simpson <cs at zip.com.au>